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The Secret To Superhuman Strength Hardcover – May 4, 2021

by Alison Bechdel (Author, Illustrator)

4.6 667 ratings

Part of: The Secret to Superhuman Strength

Editors' pick Best Biographies & Memoirs

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From the author of Fun Home, a profoundly affecting graphic memoir of Bechdel's lifelong love affair with exercise, set against a hilarious chronicle of fitness fads in our times

Comics and cultural superstar Alison Bechdel delivers a deeply layered story of her fascination, from childhood to adulthood, with every fitness craze to come down the pike: from Jack LaLanne in the 60s ("Outlandish jumpsuit! Cantaloupe-sized guns!") to the existential oddness of present-day spin class. Readers will see their athletic or semi-active pasts flash before their eyes through an ever-evolving panoply of running shoes, bicycles, skis, and sundry other gear. But the more Bechdel tries to improve herself, the more her self appears to be the thing in her way. She turns for enlightenment to Eastern philosophers and literary figures, including Beat writer Jack Kerouac, whose search for self-transcendence in the great outdoors appears in moving conversation with the author’s own. This gifted artist and not-getting-any-younger exerciser comes to a soulful conclusion. The secret to superhuman strength lies not in six-pack abs, but in something much less clearly defined: facing her own non-transcendent but all-important interdependence with others.

A heartrendingly comic chronicle for our times.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Color? It’s the first sign that something new is afoot in a book full of familiar flourishes [including] the figure of Bechdel herself, drawn as a bit of a cross between Tintin and Waldo, vibrating with anxiety, doing her best to flee herself on bike or skis or simply afoot….It’s [an] accumulating ease we feel in this book—a supple, loose-limbed grace; an absence of fear that translates into simplicity, discipline and modesty.” — New York Times

“Astonishing . . . utterly absorbing” — The Atlantic

“[Bechdel] set out to write a light book about her lifelong commitment to exercise, including stints as a cyclist, climber, skier and yogi. As usual, her story and art are about so much more—the realities of aging, the quest for transcendence and the drumbeat of mortality.” — Washington Post

“[Bechdel’s] work is known for its unique style of combining incisive insight, humor, emotional resonance, queer ethos, and visually stunning illustration. She brings all of that to her new graphic memoir, The Secret to Superhuman Strength.” — Shondaland

About the Author

ALISON BECHDEL’s cult following for her early comic strip Dykes to Watch Out For expanded wildly for her family memoirs, the New York Times bestselling and Time magazine #1 Book of the Year graphic memoir Fun Home, adapted into a Tony Award-winning musical, and Are You My Mother? Bechdel has been named a MacArthur Fellow and Cartoonist Laureate of Vermont, among many other honors. The Secret to Superman Strength is her third graphic memoir.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books (May 4, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0544387651
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0544387652
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.95 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.93 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #139,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #113 in Biographies & History Graphic Novels
- #182 in Literary Graphic Novels (Books)
- #4,565 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.6 667 ratings

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Alison Bechdel

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ALISON BECHDEL has been a careful archivist of her own life and kept a journal since she was ten. Since 1983 she has been chronicling the lives of various characters in the fictionalized “Dykes to Watch Out For” strip, “one of the preeminent oeuvres in the comics genre, period” (Ms.). The strip is syndicated in 50 alternative newspapers, translated into multiple languages, and collected into a book series with a quarter of a million copies in print. Utne magazine has listed DTWOF as “one of the greatest hits of the twentieth century.”

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667 global ratings

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Mr. Mark

An all encompassing experience

Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2022

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I have read and own other graphic works probably starting with Maus I&II, but generally have shied away from them for no particular reason. I really didn't know anything about Alison Bechdel but read a review of this book which piqued my interest. First, being a late in life(and not very good)amateur artist, the illustrations are magnificent and the use of color special. Second, the autobiographical organization by decade of the author's life is a clever and easy to follow blueprint. Finally, this is really not a book about physical fitness or exercise; subjects which are boringly overanalyzed these days. At its core, its about growth in the face of all kinds of difficult situations and coming to grips with our mortality. I particularly liked the portions of the book where the author delved into the American philosophers/poets Emerson, Coleridge and the journalist, Margaret Fuller. This is a "big book" both thought provoking and timely given the spinning chaos around us all. And best of all it offers some optimism that we as humans are capable of getting through it all.

7 people found this helpful

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John Sullivan

If you’re an Alison Bechdel Completist(and I am)! Or if not!

Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2021

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I have always scarfed up anything Alison Bechdel since very early on when the sold ‘Dykes to Watch Out For’ in Judith’s Room bookstore in the West Village in the late 1980’s. Was sorry when ‘The Funny Times’ stopped carrying the strip, too.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ms. Bechdel! This is so very funny and relevant!

I think if someone liked Doonesbury or Peanuts(not to mention any number of other great comics) they might like this!

In ‘Fun Home’ and ‘Are You My Mother?’ I loved and admired the psychology references. In ‘The Secret’ loved both the coverage of exercise trends and Bechdel’s treatment of Buddhism as well as the Transcendentalist poets and writers. One favorite: “How to get six pack abs in only 60 years.” Haha! Also love all the cats.

22 people found this helpful

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Uche

A very interesting, relatable and personal story

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2021

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I keep wondering what a 5 star reading experience would be. If I make it to 60 and discover it to simply be stories that intrigued me till the end and were authentic, thought provoking and unpredictable... I'd have to circle back here and give this 5 stars

One person found this helpful

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mfsunderland

Fitness, Literature, and Spirituality

Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2021

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This is a graphic novel memoir that explores the intersection of physical fitness, literature of the spirit, mindfulness and meditation, and nature. It starts off as a book about Bechdel's fitness experiences but broadens into explorations of Romantic poets, Transcendentalists, and Zen Buddhists. If you have ever been inspired by Thoreau or Gary Snyder's The Dharma Bums, then this book is for you, as well as if you've tried different exercise programs over the years. Bechdel writes about biking, skiing, yoga, martial arts, Insanity with Shaun T, Jack LaLanne, and mountain climbing. She consistently parallels her physical exploits with literary, philosophical, and spiritual ideas to consider the meaning behind all this exercise.

In addition, the graphic novel captures specific locales with its artwork, such as rural Pennsylvania, the Vermont countryside, or the redwoods of California. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the connections between physical fitness and spirituality.

9 people found this helpful

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Mr. Robbie Fenlon

I wasn’t expecting what this turned out to be

Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2023

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The intersection of the pursuit of some transcendent outer physical experience and\or some transcendent inner experience came as an enlightening surprise as the author shares her autobiographical journey.
But it was charmingly honest and open. Personally I found it both healing and touching.
I loved the drawing and details. I think many people will see parts of themselves mirrored. Highly recommended if you are open hearted

7 people found this helpful

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Smurfy

Love Alison

Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2023

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Adding another of her books to my collection! Great humor and drawings!

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Dawn T

Bechdel does it again!

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2021

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I loved this book. Having been a fan of "Dykes to Watch Out For" back "in the day", I recently saw this on a friend's shelf and flipped thru it. As soon as I got home I ordered a copy and read it in one sitting. This book hit me where I live. In it, she explores her own reasons for having to stay active-trying every new fitness fad along the way-while entering the second phase of life. It is honest, tender and tough, and if you recognize the same kind of driven personality in yourself, you will be led on your own psychic exploration. Bechdel is a great guide to facilitate your journey.

5 people found this helpful

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Just a Guy

You even need to ask?

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021

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This is Alison Bechdel! If you have been eagerly awaiting her new work, buying this book is a complete no brainer. It contains her unique point of view and voice, and once again she uses historical figures as a foil to good effect. Loved the book. As soon as I was aware of its existence I ordered it right away. And don't be put of by the theme of exercise, that's not the main point. It's an Alison Bechdel memoir and that is really all you need to know. Buy this book!

3 people found this helpful

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Marie

El contenido magnífico. Insatisfecha con el cuidado en el envío

Reviewed in Mexico on December 9, 2021

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La autora como en cada obra es perfecta. No se puede decir más de Alison.
Sin embargo las personas que envían el producto, envían con detalles estéticos que hacen que la experiencia de compra no sea gratificante.

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Rebeca Santos

Maravilhoso

Reviewed in Brazil on July 28, 2021

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Bechdel, mais uma vez não decepciona!

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Amazon Customer

Brilliant, insightful and visually gorgeous.

Reviewed in Canada on May 30, 2021

Verified Purchase

As a huge fan, I have all of Alison Bechdel's books and continue to be blown away by her reliable combination of painstakingly drawn, beautiful images with hard-won insights and down-to-earth humour. This latest one left me with the usual elation - I couldn't put it down! I highly recommend The Secret to Superhuman Strength.